Hunza Hassanabad Bridge on The Karakoram Highway was on Saturday destroyed and washed away by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from the Shishpera glacier.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Tourist Police confirmed the development, adding that traffic was diverted to an alternative route on Sas Valley Road.
Footage shared. on social media showed raging flood waters tearing and sweeping the site of bridge.
Hunza superintendent of Police (SP) Zahoor Ahmed said the glacier has begun to melt on Saturday due to heat and caused a flood which damaged the bridge and rendered it unusable for traffic.
He said the tourists facing difficulties and alternative routes were provided through Ganish and Murtazabad. He added that the tourist police was also assigned to various places to prevent any inconvenience for tourists.
The SP said families close to Nullah have been relocated to safer locations and the entire administration, including police and rescue services, has been moved to a safer location. on emergency alert.
Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the National Highway Administration (NHA) and the Border Works Organization had assured him that the bridge would be repaired without fail. of urgency.
Main secretary also led by British Home Secretary Iqbal Hussain, Gilgit Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. of in concerned districts to take immediately steps for restoration of Hassanabad bridge and resolve inconvenience caused to the passengers.
In accordance with information from the head of the secretary office of food and fuel for tourists was also provided along with rehabilitation and rations for affected families.
This is added these two power plants of Hassanabad were also swept away flood.
The district police said in a statement that the control rooms were set up in Hunza and Gilgit who could be contacted on 05813-930721-2 and 05811-930033 respectively.
Ministers draw attention to global warming, climate change
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman warned that there are many such vulnerabilities. in GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Pakistan has highest amount of glaciers outside polar region and many lose mass due to high global temperature,” she said. out.
Rehman had earlier warned the provincial disaster management authorities and home units, which due to the increase in regional temperatures, it was possible of GLOF events and flash floods in GB and KP.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also said melting of glaciers were “a matter of concern.” He said that the collective efforts to international level was needed to combat climate change.
“The situation that arises out of lake eruption on Shishper glacier needs to be treated with on urgent basis. government should ensure so that local communities are not affected in Any way and land routes remain open.
“I hope the administration ensure what an ordinary people and there are no tourists face difficulties,” Bilaval said.
UK Environment Agency director Shahzad Shigri said climate change has accelerated melting of glaciers in in region and posed a serious threat to population.
